COLLEGE OF THE CANYONS: PLAYERS COME BACK TO HONOR HERRICK.

Byline: Heather Gripp Staff Writer

VALENCIA - Greg Herrick's mother mailed him a newspaper article about someone from his high school who recently had earned his 800th career coaching victory. The story reminded Herrick of how much more he can accomplish in his own coaching career.

However, those who know Herrick know he already has accomplished a lot. That's why his family, friends and several former players are gathering tonight to honor the College of the Canyons women's basketball coach. The Cougars will hold a ceremony during halftime of the 5:30 p.m. home game against Santa Monica to commemorate Herrick's 400th career victory, which he earned Dec. 19.

``It's special,'' said Herrick, who was the head coach of the boys' team at Cleveland High in Reseda, and then Hart, before taking over COC's women's program in 1992. ``But I never shot a basket in any of those wins, so it's interesting I get credit for 400 wins.''

Sure Herrick has been blessed with plenty of great athletes - his former players include Bret Saberhagen and Andrew Lorraine, who both went on to play major-league baseball, as well as others who had professional basketball careers - but the players acknowledge Herrick is an integral part of the success.

``He's a real smart coach,'' said L'Tanya Robnett, a sophomore forward for this season's Cougars, who are in contention for a third consecutive Western State Conference South Division title. ``He's been around the game for a long time, so he has a lot of experience. I think when you have a coach like that and a coach you love to play for, it makes your kids work harder. We work hard for him.''

Creating such an atmosphere was Herrick's goal when he began coaching. He had played basketball in high school in the Bay Area and for two seasons at Loyola Marymount, but never had a coach whom he considered a role model or someone he could really trust.

Herrick's players describe him as extremely caring and one of the first people they would go to if they needed to talk. He has been invited to former players' weddings and has made a big enough impact in many lives to get former players to come from around the country for tonight's celebration.

``The relationship I had with my coaches really wasn't the same as the relationship I have with my players,'' Herrick said. ``I'm very involved with my players in their personal lives and they trust me. I always tried to be there for them and be influential. I had to be there and earn their trust. I think the success I've had is based on that. I get the most from the players, they're willing to give everything they have because of that trust and the respect we have for each other.''

Herrick, who has a career record of 410-183 as a head coach, coached Cleveland to two City titles. At COC, he has led the Cougars to the playoffs the past eight years, winning six division titles and reaching the state tournament three times. He has been named the conference coach of the year four times and was a finalist for the Converse National Junior College Coach of the Year in both 1995 and 1997.

Herrick never envisioned such accomplishments when he took his first coaching job coaching fifth- and sixth-grade boys at a Catholic school in Culver City. The part-time job was just supposed to be a way to earn money while he was in school working toward a career in law. However, he eventually decided law was not for him and opted to pursue coaching.

He has coached three NBA draftees, three high school All-Americans and several players who went on to play at four-year schools. Cal State Northridge men's basketball coach Bobby Braswell also is among Herrick's former players.

``This is about all of them,'' Herrick said. ``It's not about me, this is a celebration of the kids. This will be a good opportunity to thank all the kids.''